Legal and Psychological Support for Tennis Players Investigated for Doping
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced this Wednesday a new support program for tennis players involved in investigations for doping or match-fixing. This program offers free legal aid, confidential advice, and financial assistance to analyze products that may have caused positive results in anti-doping tests. The pilot program, which starts immediately, will be reviewed next year. Tennis players can receive up to $5,000 to cover the costs of analysis in laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with the aim of verifying the possible contamination of medications or supplements. Likewise, the same amount will be provided to identify possible sources of contaminated meat, a common explanation in cases of doping in sport. Sport Resolutions, an independent dispute resolution service that manages tribunals for anti-doping cases in tennis, will expand its free legal support to tennis players from the moment a prohibited substance is detected in a test. Previously, this service was only available after the player was formally accused. In addition, Sporting Chance, an organization working on the mental health of athletes, will offer six support sessions for the well-being of tennis players being investigated for anti-corruption or anti-doping violations.We recognize that the process can have both a financial and emotional cost.
Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA
The ITIA was involved in two high-profile doping cases in tennis that began last year and resulted in short suspensions for players who have been number 1 and winners of multiple Grand Slam titles. Jannik Sinner reached an agreement with the AMA to accept a three-month suspension that ended in April, after that group appealed an exoneration from the ITIA based on what it determined was accidental contamination by an anabolic steroid. Iga Swiatek agreed to a one-month suspension that she partially served during the off-season, after testing positive for what she attributed to a contaminated over-the-counter medication.No player picks up a tennis racket as a child with any other motivation than to play. Individuals find themselves in these situations for many reasons, and no matter what those reasons are, and how the case ends, they also deserve someone to talk to.
Karen Moorhouse, CEO of the ITIA